Today, November 5, Princess Laurentien and illustrator Sieb Posthuma presented their new book "Mr. Finney and the riddle in the trees" (Mr. Finney en het raadsel in de bomen) at the Natuurmonumenten in ’s-Graveland.

Princess Laurentien has decided to step down from her position as chairwoman of the Reading and Writing Foundation (Stichting Lezen & Schrijven), it was announced today. The foundation was launched in 2004 and will from 2014 on be chaired by politician Marja van Bijsterveldt, who had been Minister of Education, Culture and Science from 2010 to 2012. Laurentien will keep supporting the foundation's work.

Princess Laurentien and her father Laurens Jan Brinkhorst attended the premiere of the Dutch movie Mees Kees op Kamp at the Cinemec in Ede today, December 8. Mees Kees on Camp is the sequel of the hit film from 2012 about a teacher who can not read and write.

In addition to that they launched the campaign "Fathers For Reading".

How nice to see Laurentien's father attending and supporting the cause!

Princess Laurentien and Prince Constantijn attended the Reading and Writing Foundation's (Stichting Lezen & Schrijven) New Year's reception dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the foundation at the Scheepvaart and Transportcollege in Rotterdam today, January 27. The new chairwoman Marja van Bijsterveldt can also be seen in the gallery:

As said: the 27th was the official goodbye of Laurentien as chairwoman of the organisation. In a speech she thanked all the people who were involved with it. The princess said that she had a 'double feeling' during her goodbye. She would have hoped that the organisation would have been absolete after 10 years, but she admits she is not a patient person. The princess stays on as honorary chairwoman of the organisation.

Her husband added: she always finds something to keep her occupied. It will never be quiet.

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I have to say that the princess and the organisation have been rather succesful in putting the issue on the map. Before 2004 most people were barely aware of the issue. In lettingthe princess mainly focus on this issue, illiteracy received so much attention that these days there should barely be anybody around who does not know that it still exists today and in our country.

I wonder if the princess will focus on some new issues in the future or if she will use her time for her own carreer and family.

Princess Laurentien attended the annual New Year's meeting of the Reading and Writing Foundation (Stichting Lezen & Schrijven) in Rotterdam today, January 26. During the meeting the Language Heroes Awards was handed out.